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#392581 - 11/12/10 12:24 PM Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll?
Sting Offline
I need to file a complaint with whomever controls the bridge tolls as the ol' guy and woman in the booth have attempted to rip me off twice now. The ol' guy taking the money, not knowing my girlfriend speaks fluent spanish took my cash and told the booth lady to just rip them off with the change. Hahaaa.. SO funny.. Then, next time I go to pay the lady and she says the toll charge is in US. But the next time the guy says it's in BZ.!!! So we need some clarification on the sign and I will be calling San Pedro Police to the booth next time it happens. But I would like to file a complaint if anyone knows the person in charge?

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#392586 - 11/12/10 12:37 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
P.J. Offline
Originally Posted By: Sting
I need to file a complaint with whomever controls the bridge tolls as the ol' guy and woman in the booth have attempted to rip me off twice now. The ol' guy taking the money, not knowing my girlfriend speaks fluent spanish took my cash and told the booth lady to just rip them off with the change. Hahaaa.. SO funny.. Then, next time I go to pay the lady and she says the toll charge is in US. But the next time the guy says it's in BZ.!!! So we need some clarification on the sign and I will be calling San Pedro Police to the booth next time it happens. But I would like to file a complaint if anyone knows the person in charge?


Great question because no one knows. It was built by the Bowen's and the tolls were only supposed to pay for the construction of the bridge. Once the construction costs were paid off, then the tolls should have been terminated. The bridge has now been paid off and the tolls still continue.

Good luck getting the cops to come help you out. I had to call them one day because some thug was standing right in front of our cafe smoking weed (in broad daylight) and also trying to sell it to my customers and incoming tourists. Since this is one of the busiest spots on the island I thought they might be interested in stopping this kind of action. So 2.5 hours later, they showed up and the guy was obviously gone after offending COUNTLESS people. I wouldnt expect them to come out to assist very quickly.

I would just go straight to the Town Council....you might have a little luck with them. Pablo Ico is one of the most helpful and accessible people you will find. If not there, then try the BTB. They at least act like they care and they tend to realize that actions like this actually hurt tourism.


Edited by P.J. (11/12/10 12:39 PM)
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#392594 - 11/12/10 01:34 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
shuffles Offline
Talk about a Freudian slip.... when I first read the title of this post I thought it said "Who is in charge of the bridge TROLL"

Which, in my opinion, is pretty much the same.
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#392595 - 11/12/10 01:36 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: shuffles]
P.J. Offline
Originally Posted By: shuffles
Talk about a Freudian slip.... when I first read the title of this post I thought it said "Who is in charge of the bridge TROLL"

Which, in my opinion, is pretty much the same.


Haha.....so we can hope that he isnt on the forum? I doubt he is. smile
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#392597 - 11/12/10 01:44 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
elbert Offline
I still don't get it! I've never,ever paid a toll at the bridge. I've never been stopped or ask to pay.
However, I've never stopped and asked hea! who wants my money? who do I pay?
Do you guys stop and ask? or maybe look around for some guy sleeping and wake him to give him some money? whats up with this?
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#392598 - 11/12/10 02:13 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
P.J. Offline
The first time I ever crossed the bridge, I didnt pay but when I came back, the old man actually stood up and flagged us down to tell us that we owed him $10 for the round trip. I didnt realize that there was even a toll and I definitely blew up at him when I watched two other carts pass us without paying and they just happened to have darker skin than my wife and I. But Im sure they had a bridge pass or maybe they just prepaid. It MUST be one of those scenarios because it couldnt possibly be racism.
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#392599 - 11/12/10 02:22 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
Amanda Syme Offline
Lot's of people buy monthly bridge passes. You can get them at the town council office.

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#392600 - 11/12/10 02:24 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
Amanda Syme Offline
When I cross the bridge I make sure that I get my tickets. The price of $5Bz is printed on the ticket and is the charge for a one way crossing.

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#392601 - 11/12/10 02:37 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: P.J.]
TiredOfTheUS Offline
If the bridge has been paid for seems to me its time to hook a chain around the toll (troll) booth attached to a couple of high powered golf carts and ripped from its foundation!! Thats bullshit that people get away with raping the public that way!

Originally Posted By: P.J.
Originally Posted By: Sting
I need to file a complaint with whomever controls the bridge tolls as the ol' guy and woman in the booth have attempted to rip me off twice now. The ol' guy taking the money, not knowing my girlfriend speaks fluent spanish took my cash and told the booth lady to just rip them off with the change. Hahaaa.. SO funny.. Then, next time I go to pay the lady and she says the toll charge is in US. But the next time the guy says it's in BZ.!!! So we need some clarification on the sign and I will be calling San Pedro Police to the booth next time it happens. But I would like to file a complaint if anyone knows the person in charge?


Great question because no one knows. It was built by the Bowen's and the tolls were only supposed to pay for the construction of the bridge. Once the construction costs were paid off, then the tolls should have been terminated. The bridge has now been paid off and the tolls still continue.

Good luck getting the cops to come help you out. I had to call them one day because some thug was standing right in front of our cafe smoking weed (in broad daylight) and also trying to sell it to my customers and incoming tourists. Since this is one of the busiest spots on the island I thought they might be interested in stopping this kind of action. So 2.5 hours later, they showed up and the guy was obviously gone after offending COUNTLESS people. I wouldnt expect them to come out to assist very quickly.

I would just go straight to the Town Council....you might have a little luck with them. Pablo Ico is one of the most helpful and accessible people you will find. If not there, then try the BTB. They at least act like they care and they tend to realize that actions like this actually hurt tourism.
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#392602 - 11/12/10 02:49 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
belizeonthebeach Offline
The toll bridge is a good deterent for traffic congestion in the north. With no toll there would be traffic jams on a Sunday afternoon all the way to Elberts house.

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#392603 - 11/12/10 02:51 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Amanda Syme]
P.J. Offline
Originally Posted By: Amanda Syme
Lot's of people buy monthly bridge passes. You can get them at the town council office.



Very true. And Im sure that was the case. wink
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#392605 - 11/12/10 02:57 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: belizeonthebeach]
slowlyretiring Offline
Originally Posted By: belizeonthebeach
The toll bridge is a good deterent for traffic congestion in the north. With no toll there would be traffic jams on a Sunday afternoon all the way to Elberts house.


I seriously doubt that would be true but we will probably never know. Regardless, its a burden (and its an unfairly & inconsistently employed one at that) to those who arent just retirees that stay on the north part of the island other than their once a week trip into town.

The real issue is one that is rampant in all of San Pedro (and other parts of Belize Im sure)....racist scam artists with "gringo pricing" always trying to earn an extra couple dollars by ripping off the people who support this country. Bingo.

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#392633 - 11/13/10 01:48 AM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
ScubaLdy Offline
I'm a retiree and hate to tell you how many trips I make across the bridge in one week. Just today it was three - oops - four - One I had to be towed.

Yes - I just wave at them as I go by - but once a month when I pay my $150 I stop and show the pass to them.
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#392652 - 11/13/10 09:14 AM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: P.J.]
Phil Offline
Originally Posted By: P.J.
It was built by the Bowen's and the tolls were only supposed to pay for the construction of the bridge. Once the construction costs were paid off, then the tolls should have been terminated. The bridge has now been paid off and the tolls still continue.


Has the loan been repaid?

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#392664 - 11/13/10 11:30 AM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
Bobber Offline
What you need there is a hand pulled ferry. That way, they earn their money. laugh Also a bigger tourist draw than a bridge. Why is everyone heading to Elberts house on Sunday? laugh
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#392678 - 11/13/10 01:39 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
elbert Offline
Because hes not at home and you can BBQ in his grill ,fish off his dock, sleep in his hammock and as a bonus dig up his little coconuts trees to take back and sell in San Pedro.
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#392683 - 11/13/10 02:06 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: elbert]
BeBelize Offline
We asked at the bridge specifically about the toll charged for bikes ($1 each way). We noticed local after local riding across without paying, yet we (gringos) were stopped for payment every time. We were always given correct change.

The toll takers said that only tourists are charged to ride bikes across the bridge, so once we move there permanently, we will no longer have to pay. That's great, but I disagree with anyone being charged to ride a bike across, as bikes cause nearly no damage to the road and no pollution, but I guess they figure that "rich" tourists can afford it.

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#392689 - 11/13/10 02:47 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
ScubaLdy Offline
It's not the only the tourist are charged, it is supposed to be that the workers are not charged. But hey - nothing is perfect here.
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Harriette
Take only pictures leave only bubbles

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#392715 - 11/13/10 07:28 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: ScubaLdy]
casa bella Offline
I Got an idea , No charge for anybody Except Those going north . The charge of 5bz or 4bz if you take a shovel full of gravel with you to fill in pot holes while you drive . The toll booth could make a profit on the gravel . It would get other people like the town , tourist's and construction involved.

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#392717 - 11/13/10 10:48 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
reaper Offline
100 trips per day by $2.50 us = $250 per day by 7 days =$1,750us per week by 24 busy weeks on season =$42,000us at least per year.
How much did the bridge cost to build?
The Town Board is getting some nice "tax" income.

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#392781 - 11/15/10 06:42 AM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Phil]
P.J. Offline
Originally Posted By: Phil
Originally Posted By: P.J.
It was built by the Bowen's and the tolls were only supposed to pay for the construction of the bridge. Once the construction costs were paid off, then the tolls should have been terminated. The bridge has now been paid off and the tolls still continue.


Has the loan been repaid?


Yes.
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PJ

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#392785 - 11/15/10 08:44 AM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
LaraTravelBelize Offline
i have many many issues with the bridge..

the biggest:

there is absolutely no way whatsoever to account for the money they are taking in. You pay a round trip fare, they give you a return ticket, that they then take back when you cross...and then reuse that ticket.

I'm not accusing anyone of anything, but i do think that in the nearly 5 years that bridge has been there, i must say their employee turnover must be the lowest in the entire country.

On principle, i refuse to pay it, but i also dont cheat. So i part on the south side of the bridge and walk or get picked up whenever possible. I'd rather hand my $5 to a kid who wants some ice cream.
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#392804 - 11/15/10 11:56 AM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
champion Offline
A numerical invoice should acompany all toll transactions and be accounted for daily. They should balance.
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#392806 - 11/15/10 11:57 AM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
ScubaLdy Offline
Keep all this in mind as the elections are coming up.
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Harriette
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#392823 - 11/15/10 03:11 PM Re: Who is in Control of the Bridge Toll? [Re: Sting]
elbert Offline
Exactly when are the elections. i have a vote I want to stick somewhere.
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